HRC58: Dialogue on the Human Rights Violations against Children, Especially in Organised Trafficking Networks 

The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council

24 Feb - 4 April 2025

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children

By Prishika Adhira Bhoyroo and Shyla Gheek / GICj

Executive Summary 

On 12 March 2025, the Human Rights Council convened to discuss the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s (SRSG) report on violence against children, which underscored the alarming rise in child trafficking, exploitation, and abuse worldwide. The report highlighted that children now account for 38% of trafficking victims, with an increase in cases involving girls. It further outlined the growing role of technology and organised crime networks in facilitating these crimes, while legal responses remain insufficient.

During the dialogue, the SRSG called for urgent investments to end impunity, strengthen child protection systems, and address the economic and social costs of violence. Delegates and civil society organisations emphasised the need for stronger international cooperation to address root causes of vulnerability, such as conflict, forced displacement, and economic disparity. Several states, including the European Union, Germany, and Peru, reiterated support for age- and gender-responsive policies. Others, such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia, detailed national strategies and legal frameworks to combat trafficking.

Geneva International Centre for Justice welcomes the widespread engagement and reaffirms the commitment to achieving the 2030 SDGs. We emphasise the need for peer learning, technological safeguards, and strengthened accountability mechanisms. GICJ calls for more robust international efforts, including stricter business regulations to prevent exploitation in supply chains and to incorporate the ethical participation of children in policy discussions.

Background 

On 18 December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/141 (A/62/435) specified in paragraphs 58 and 59 that a Special Representative on violence against children should be appointed. These paragraphs were particularly important in formally establishing the mandate of the Special Representative. This established a dedicated position within the United Nations (UN) system to specifically address the issue of violence against children. By defining the role and responsibilities of the Special Representative, the resolution also provided a framework for coordinated international action to prevent and address violence against children.

In resolution 78/187 (A/RES/78/187), titled the Rights of the Child, the UN General Assembly requested  the SRSG on Violence against Children, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid, to continue reporting to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council on her activities in accordance with Resolution 62/141 (A/62/435). Moreover, the resolution highlighted that her report should provide details of her field visits, progress achieved but to equally bring attention to the remaining challenges on the violence against children agenda. In this light, such meticulous reporting is of paramount importance in fostering international efforts to protect children from all forms of violence and promoting safe environments for them.

The world has become a precarious place for children where they are deprived from flourishing in a secure environment and enjoying their childhood. They are increasingly vulnerable to atrocities which affect their mental, physical as well as social well-being. This has heightened the need for global cooperation  to prevent violence against children, leading to the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children, held . The Bogotá Call to Action, hosted by the governments of Colombia and Sweden, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid, represents a significant international effort to accelerate progress  toward SDG 16.2, which focuses on ending  abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. 

Summary of the Special Representative Report 

The 2024 report by Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid, presented to the Council  a comprehensive review of actions and achievements in combating violence against children at global, regional, and national levels. The report highlights the urgent need to address the alarming rise in child trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, noting that children now represent 38% of trafficking victims, with an increased proportion of girls.

The growing vulnerability of children worldwide is exacerbated by factors such as conflict, forced displacement, and economic disparity. The report emphasizes that organized trafficking networks are expanding rapidly, fueled by technological advancements such as AI and the dark web. The demand for child exploitation, which is often low-risk and low-cost for traffickers, is on the rise, generating billions in profit. However, current responses remain insufficient, and many perpetrators continue to evade justice due to inadequate accountability mechanisms.

The report  stresses the importance of investing in robust child protection systems to combat impunity, and the need to involve multiple sectors—including social, legal, education, and community leaders—to address the systemic challenges children face. Furthermore, the report highlights the significant human and economic costs of violence, including the staggering impact on (Gross domestic product) GDP, and calls for comprehensive strategies that integrate child protection into broader national development plans, such as refugee and territorial policies. The report also underscores the importance of ethical child participation, aligned with international standards, in policy discussions to ensure children’s voices are integral to the development of solutions.

In response to these findings, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid  welcomed the widespread engagement in tackling these issues and reaffirmed the commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 16.2. A key part of this commitment is ensuring the implementation of pledges made by 120 countries in 2024 to end violence against children. These pledges outline concrete steps to strengthen local child protection systems and promote global accountability. Including the Bogota Call to Action, which focuses on addressing the root causes of violence against children.

The SRSG concludes with a call for renewed efforts to close the gap between global commitments and the actions required to protect children from exploitation. The Special Representative emphasized the urgency of ensuring that no child is left behind, reinforcing that children must not be sacrificed in the face of growing challenges. To this end, continued investment in child protection systems and a collaborative approach among all sectors are critical to achieving the goal of ending violence against children by 2030.

Interactive Dialogue

Opening Statements

The Special Representative, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid, opened the dialogue by elaborating on the success of her campaign led in 2024 which remarkably generated multistakeholders mobilisation while evoking strong global and political commitment to end violence against children. She reminded the Council  of the landmark Bogotá Call to Action conference where more than 120 countries actively contributed and over 100 pledges were made to frame concrete actions to amplify efforts to end violence against children.

In this light, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid recognised the efforts made and initiatives adopted by States to tackle the challenges of violence against children. She  declared that a toolkit will be made available to facilitate the assessment of the cost of the violence against children, similarly to assess the returns on investing in violence prevention.

The Special Representative shared insights from her mandate, including experiences from 13 country visits and engagement with over 31 Member States presenting voluntary national reviews in 2024, expressing confidence in the ongoing international efforts  to strengthen child protection systems. Furthermore, Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid highlighted  her close engagement with 100 civil society and faith-based organisations, including co-organising the 6th Forum of the Global Network of Religious for Children. She also affirmed that fostering private sector participation, particularly in the technological and tourism sectors, is of utmost priority for her mandate. 

In addition, the Special Representative recalled that her report emphasises the alarming 38% increase of children victims of  trafficking, she highlighted that child trafficking remains a low cost and low risk yet high profit crime generating billions of dollars annually. She stated that ending trafficking in children is possible if more investments were  made in social and child protection systems, including in humanitarian contexts, and by strengthening accountability.

Ms. Maalla M’jid ended her opening statement with a powerful quote of a girl she met who was a victim of trafficking: “There is no justice, I am locked up in a shelter while the abusers are not paying the price.”

Position of Countries

The representative of Jordan (on behalf of the Arab Group) expressed deep concern over the rising abuse and exploitation of children, particularly in conflict zones. The delegate reaffirmed the Arab Group’s commitment to urgent actions and highlighted regional efforts such as the Arab Conference on Children and Development and workshops addressing technological challenges. The Arab Group stressed the importance of listening to children’s voices and ensuring their rights are protected amidst ongoing conflicts. The delegate further emphasized the indescribable suffering of children in Gaza, calling for international support to alleviate their plight.

The delegate of European Union (EU) reaffirmed their strong commitment to combating child trafficking and exploitation.e. The EU emphasized the outcomes of the Bogotá Conference, which reinforced the need for global cooperation, improved victim support systems, and the prohibition of goods produced through forced labor. The delegate highlighted the gendered nature of trafficking, stating that girls are predominantly exploited for sexual purposes, while boys are frequently subjected to forced labor. He called for the implementation of age and gender responsive support mechanisms to bridge the existing gaps in addressing child trafficking. The delegate further asked the Special Representative for recommendations on how the EU and other regions could better address these disparities.

The representative of Ghana (on behalf of the African Group) commended the Special Representative’s ongoing efforts and expressed deep concern over the prevalence of child violence and trafficking on the continent. The delegate underscored the severe consequences of violence, not only for children but also for families and entire societies. At the regional level, the African Group emphasised its commitment to monitoring and addressing child protection challenges through legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms. The delegate acknowledged efforts by African States to strengthen anti-trafficking policies, but asked the Special Representative to provide further insight into how African nations could enhance their existing programs to better protect children from exploitation.

The delegate of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the country’s commitment to upholding and enforcing children’s rights. The delegate outlined Saudi Arabia’s existing legislative frameworks, including:

• the Anti-Human Trafficking Law;
• the Prevention of Trafficking Protocol; and
• a dedicated national committee focused on combating human trafficking.

The delegate stressed the importance of creating environments where children can grow and develop free from harm. Saudi Arabia’s proactive measures include efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against children, with a particular focus on preventive strategies, law enforcement collaboration, and victim rehabilitation programs.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) underscored the importance of early intervention in protecting children from violence, with policies that focus on psychological safety, online protection, and teacher-led intervention programs. Internationally, the UAE has strengthened cooperation with developing countries to address violence and leverage technology for child protection.

The delegate of Ukraine highlighted the severe risks faced by children due to the ongoing war, including forced displacement and abduction. The delegate condemned Russia’s forced adoption of Ukrainian children and emphasized the urgent need for international accountability in conflict zones. The delegate provided a detailed account of the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Ukrainian children, highlighting:

• Mass displacement: Millions of children have been forcibly uprooted from their homes, with many separated from their families and at heightened risk of trafficking and exploitation.
• Abductions and deportations: Ukraine condemned the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and occupied territories, describing these acts as grave violations of international law.
• Psychosocial trauma: The delegate stressed that continuous exposure to violence and instability has resulted in severe mental health consequences for children, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
• Education under attack: The destruction of schools and educational facilities has deprived thousands of children of their right to education, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

Ukraine urged the international community to take decisive action to protect children affected by war and called for: accountability for crimes against children, safe return of deported children, strengthening protection mechanisms, increased humanitarian assistance and sanctions against traffickers and perpetrators. Finally, the delegate reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to working with international partners to build stronger protections for children affected by armed conflict and to uphold the fundamental rights of every child to safety, security, and a future free from violence.

The delegate of Germany highlighted the direct threat that ongoing global crises pose to children and emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation. Germany reaffirmed its commitment to achieving SDG 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children. Germany referred to the Bogotá Call for Action as a critical milestone in addressing child trafficking and noted that alarming increases in trafficking rates require immediate attention. The delegate outlined Germany’s National Action Plan, which prioritises support for vulnerable groups, enhanced law enforcement training, and the development of comprehensive rehabilitation programs.

The representative of Indonesia reaffirmed its strong commitment to the protection of children rights as a key priority under their  new government placing children’s well being at the centre of human capital development and ensuring access to education, health care and protection from violence. The delegate highlighted that free nutritious meal programmes and extending mandatory learning to 13 years old are examples of key initiatives to address child malnutrition and strengthen childhood education. Moreover, the delegate stated that in response to cases of child trafficking, Indonesia has strengthened its legal and institutional frameworks, including establishing the directment of children and women protection, and trafficking persons within national policy. 

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania aligned themselves with the statement made by Ghana. The government of Tanzania has ratified a number of interventional instrument including CRSC and African shelter on the rights and welfare of the child- relevant provisions of this convention are made applicable in Tanzania through the law and the government has equally been implementing the national Plan of action to end violence against children whilst aiming to provide a coordinated organised approach to address the major concerns and obstacles faced by children as victims, survivors and witnesses of violence and abuse.

The delegate of Azerbaijan highlighted the progress made in Azerbaijan in combating human trafficking, by  ratifying  international agreements, approving four national action plans, and establishing a special unit within the minister of internal affairs. Additionally, several initiatives were adopted, namely: the declaration of national coordinator institution, migration assistance, shelters centres support funds, a hotline service and introduction of a dedicated website, as well as the establishment of NGOs against human trafficking. She declared that these initiatives have been vital instruments to strengthening child victim protection. Azerbaijan anticipates that early intervention for protection and comparability rehabilitation programs for child victims are made available. Moreover, Azerbaijan reminded the Council of its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children worldwide and to  increase  international cooperation to achieve progress in protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.

The delegate of the United Kingdom (UK)  welcomed the report of the Special Representative. The delegate pointed out that the UK recently launched a global campaign to advocate for family care for children around the world and aim to progressively end institutionalisation. Moreover, they welcomed their  partnership with the Special Representative, reaffirming the goal of forming  a global alliance to achieve sustainable reform of child care. The UK remains steadfast in their commitment to address this vicious cycle of violence, abuse, and exploitation faced by children,  including ending trafficking in line with addressing SDG 16.2. Moreover, the delegate noted this year the UK has supported programmes in India, Philippines, Bangladesh, and the DRC to raise awareness of the risks of child trafficking and deliver support to the survivors. 

The delegate of Egypt drew attention to how violence is complicated by the use of technology and the exploitation of children online as well as trafficking of children and forced labour and other criteria measures that do not respect protection. The delegate stated that to protect children against digital violations, Egypt has criminalised the exploitation of children online through the implementation of the ICT law. In the same light, providing hotline services which receive complaints, equally delivering psychosocial support to victims and conducting awareness campaigns regarding exploitation on the digital space.

The representative of Nigeria declared that the protection and safety of children is not only a moral imperative but also an international and domestic legal obligation. In line with Nigeria’s strong commitment to protect children from all forms of abuse, trafficking, and violence, they launched several initiatives to combat child trafficking. For instance,  the school anti-trafficking education advocacy programme launched in February 2024 and the adoption of a national plan on human rights trafficking. Nigeria has strengthened coordination against child trafficking led by the national agency for prohibition of trafficking focusing on prevention, protection and rehabilitation.

Non-Governmental Organisations 

Representatives of non-governmental organisations, across their various statements, converged on the issue of children's rights violations, pushing for stronger protections against various forms of violence, including detention and corporal punishment. They paid particular attention to the alarming rise in child trafficking with a significant increase among girls and supported the call for strengthening measures to prevent child trafficking, including technology-facilitated trafficking.

Moreover, they reaffirmed that international coordination is crucial for child protection and called upon member states to reinforce their laws and legal protections. Most importantly, they highlighted that violence against children causes stress that harms brain development and long-term well-being, affecting cognitive development and resulting in higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Concluding Remarks 

The SRSG on violence against children concluded the session by expressing deep gratitude to all delegations, civil society organisations, and stakeholders for their remarks, support, and commitment to advancing the protection of children. She emphasised that the discussions had renewed  her commitment  to eliminating violence against children and to driving real, tangible actions, and implementations on the ground.

The SRSG reiterated her unwavering commitment to the 2030 SDGs, particularly Goal 16.2, which calls for ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children. She stressed the urgent need to strengthen national and local child protection systems to ensure that support services are easily accessible to caregivers and frontline responders. Over the past year, she noted, significant progress has been made, but the challenge remains in connecting the dots—bringing together peer learning and peer sharing mechanisms among key actors to accelerate meaningful change.

The SRSG underscored that investing in child protection and well-being is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity, as violence against children carries a staggering human and financial cost—estimated at up to 11% of GDP in some countries. Ending violence must be approached holistically across all settings, including:

• homes;
• schools and religious institutions;
• online spaces;
• public areas, such as streets and workplaces; and
• detention centres and conflict zones.

She called for a multisectoral approach, urging governments, social services, legal frameworks, education systems, communities, and religious leaders to work together in preventing and addressing violence and trafficking at its roots.

The SRSG highlighted that child trafficking is on the rise, but the actual numbers remain underreported due to fear, stigma, and restrictive national policies regarding border security and migration status. She stressed that trafficking is a gendered crime, disproportionately affecting girls in cases of sexual exploitation, but also affecting boys, who are often overlooked in discussions.

She warned that social inequalities, forced displacement, and economic disparities are driving factors of child trafficking, requiring coordinated responses that integrate child protection measures into development plans, territorial policies, and refugee response frameworks. She highlighted the intersections between institutionalisation and trafficking, referencing Ukraine and Poland as critical examples of where children leaving state care systems are at heightened risk.

Her key recommendations included: recognising that demand for trafficked children is fueled by various industries, including mining, tourism, sexual exploitation, and forced labor, the SRSG called for greater accountability from the private sector. She urged governments to impose due diligence measures on businesses and supply chains to eliminate child exploitation in all its forms. She also emphasised the importance of child participation, urging governments and institutions to include children’s voices in decision-making processes. However, she warned that participation must be meaningful, ethical, and structured in a way that truly empowers children to be part of the solution rather than tokenized in discussions. Furthermore, recognising the powerful influence of religious institutions, the SRSG highlighted ongoing engagement with faith-based organisations, including the Vatican and the Global Religion Network for Children. She stressed the need to harness religious communities as key allies in child protection, addressing both positive contributions and harmful practices. By working collaboratively with religious leaders, she believes communities can play a transformative role in ending violence against children.

The SRSG concluded with a powerful message of hope and urgency:

“We can make it. Children cannot be sacrificed. Sorry.”

She urged all stakeholders to move beyond words to concrete action, emphasising that protecting children requires collective will, sustained investment, and global cooperation. She thanked all participants once again and reaffirmed her dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against violence and exploitation.

Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice 

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) supports the report of the Special Representative in particular the urgent need to address the alarming rise in child trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. GICJ condemns all forms of violence on children and encourages all member states to continue their initiatives to end violence against children, support victims of child trafficking, and protect children from the negative impacts of technology. Childhood is a sacred time during which children must be able to grow in safe and nurturing environments. Children are the future, and therefore GICJ firmly advocates that child protection must be at the heart of all Member States priorities.

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